(Columbus) While spring is still
several months away and winter weather conditions are expected to
return, ODOT crews have expanded their focus to include potential
flooding. The thawing snow from the late-December snow storm coupled
with recent rains have saturated the ground and swollen waterways.

Our forces worked around the clock
over the holidays to clear roads of snow and ice and keep them safe,
said ODOT Director Gordon Proctor. In addition to being
prepared to combat future winter weather, we are expanding our efforts
to address potential flooding which could cripple bridges and
culverts, create mud slides and leave debris in the road.

Crews began closing interstate ramps
and secondary roads late Monday night as rivers, creeks, and streams
crested around the state. The ramp from Interstate 270 eastbound
to U.S. Route 23 northbound on Columbus south side was first to
close. Crews worked Tuesday morning pumping water from the
flooded roadway into newly-dug retention ponds in hopes of re-opening
the ramp by morning rush hour Wednesday. Other closures include:

the ramp from Interstate 70
eastbound to State Route 79 southbound in Licking County,

U.S. Route 60 in Holmes County from
State Route 62 to the Coshocton County line,

State Route 302 in Wayne County from
Silver Road to County Road 30A in Wooster Township, and

the left lane of U.S. Route 422
westbound through Parkman Township in Geauga County.

Based upon changing weather
conditions, roads around the state may close for short durations.
For a complete list of up-to-date closures due to high water, visit
www.buckeyetraffic.org

This weeks flooding comes on the
heels of the worst winter storm in recent history. Since
December 23, the department used more than 111,000 tons of salt and
nearly $6 million in labor, equipment and material costs. In a
typical year, ODOT uses approximately 480,000 tons of salt and spends
around $36 million.